US2905908A

US2905908A - Waveguide switch and electrical control means thereof

Info

Publication number: US2905908A
Application number: US456544A
Authority: US
Inventors: Donald L Holzschuh; Charles A Kurka; Edwin N Phillips; Royal A Streeter
Original assignee: Collins Radio Co
Current assignee: Collins Radio Co
Priority date: 1954-09-16
Filing date: 1954-09-16
Publication date: 1959-09-22
Anticipated expiration: 1976-09-22

Description

Sept. 22, 1959 I 0.1.; HOLZSCHUH mm. 2,905,908

WAVEGUIDE SWITCH AND ELECTRICAL CONTROL MEANS THEREOF Filed Sept. 16, 1954 I 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 F-IIW 1,

, 5 IN VEN TORS DONALD L.Hoa zscnun CHARLEJ A.Kunnn Enwnv N. PHILLIPS ROYAL ,4. JTREETER ATTORNEy Sept. 22 1959 HQLZSCHUH EI'AL 2,905,908

WAVEGUIDE SWITCH AND ELECTRICAL CONTROL MEANS THEREOF Filed Sept. 16, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR-S CHARLES A.KuRKA Eowuv N-PHILLIP6 DONALD L. floLzscrlun RoyAL A. STREETER v ATToRNEy Sept. 22, 1959 D. H OLZSC HUH ETAI- 2,

WAVEGUIDE SWITCH AND ELECTRICAL CONTROL MEANS THEREOF Filed Sept. 16. 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 II I: :l :1 '51 1: ll 50)" n J5 J6 l; 411::

n II II 1: 3 n II II II I J8 He- 5' IN VENTOR-S DONALD L.Ho:.zscuuu CHARLES A. KURKA EDWIN N. PHILLIPS Ro al. A-QSTREETER A-r'roRrvEy Spt. 22,1959 L, HQLZSCHUH ETAL 2,905,908

WAVEGUIDE SWITCH AND ELECTRICAL CONTROL MEANS THEREOF Filed Sept. 16, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 a 7 fia5-@ 3 IN VE N T ORS DONAL-D LQHOLZSCHUH CHARLES A. KURKA EDWIN N. PHILLIPS ROYAL A. STREETEB B ATTORNEu D. L. HOLZSCHUH ETA!- 2,905,903

Sept. 22, 1959 WAVEGUIDE SWITCH AND ELECTRICAL CONTROL MEANS THEREOF 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 16, 1954 KURKA Enwuv N. PHILLIP6 CHARLES A ROYAL A-JTREETER T oRIvEy United States Patent WAVEGUIDE SWITCH AND ELECTRICAL CONTROL MEANS THEREOF Donald L. Holzschuh, Charles A. Kurka, Edwin N. Phillips, and Royal A. Streeter, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, assignors to Collins Radio Company, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, a corporation of Iowa Application September 16, 1954, Serial No. 456,544

7 Claims. (Cl. 333-4) This invention relates to a waveguide switch that utilizes any type of waveguide whether symmetrical or unsymmetrical in cross-section.

Waveguide switches transfer ultra-high frequency wave energy from a source to a selected utilization device. Sometimes, rotating elements are used in waveguide switches to transfer microwave energy from an incoming line, connected to the source, to a particular outgoing line, connected to a selected utilization device. Switches with rotor elements are commonly used with radiosymmetrical waveguide, such as coaxial waveguide, because radiosymmetry allows an incoming line to be located axially with respect to the rotor of a switch. Thus, the rotor may be designed with a curved waveguide passage, which engages the input line at the rotor axis, and which bends until it terminates nonaxially to engage one of a plurality of outgoing lines.

Several alternatives exist for locating the outgoing end of the coaxial waveguide passage in a conventional rotor. The outgoing end may be located on the side of the rotor opposite the incoming end, or it may be located on the outer periphery of the rotor, or it may be located on the same side of the rotor as the incoming line. The outgoing coaxial waveguides are spaced about the rotor to be engaged alternately by the outgoing end of the coaxial waveguide passage as it is rotated. Hence, a connection between the input line and a particular output line depends upon the angular position of the rotor in such a radiosymmetrical system.

Monosymmetrical waveguide, such as ridge-waveguide, does not permit the use of the above-described arrangement, since a rotor passage of ridge-waveguide cannot be aligned with an incoming ridge-waveguide by rotor rotation less than a complete revolution. Likewise, unsymmetrical waveguide requires a complete revolution for alignment. Since a complete revolution brings the rotor back to its starting position, no switching is accomplished in the conventional arrangement. In general, all types of waveguide except radiosymmetrical waveguide requires a complete revolution of the rotor to obtain realignment. In this specification, the word triosymmetrical waveguide is defined as waveguide with a cross-section that is unsymmetrical, monosymmetrical, or bisymmetrical but excludes radiosymmetrical waveguide.

Furthermore, in each of the above-described switches, small gaps exist between the rotor and the incoming and outgoing lines to allow free rotation by the rotor. The gaps cause undesirable loss of energy by radiation and undesirable reflection of energy by presenting a discontinuity in the line.

It is, accordingly, an object of this invention to provide a waveguide switch with a rotor arrangement that will utilize waveguide of any cross section.

It is another object of this invention to provide a switch for unsymmetrical and monosymmetrical waveguide that permits a large reduction in size over conventional switches for such waveguide.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a 2,905,908 Patented Sept. 22, 1959 waveguide switch that avoids the gapped connection be tween the rotor and the incoming and outgoing lines. Hence, radiation loss and transmission discontinuity are virtually eliminated.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a novel mechanical system which permits remote electrical control of the waveguide switch presented by this invention.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a novel electrical circuit which permits automatic remote control of the waveguide switch.

The chosen embodiment of the invention provides a novel waveguide switch which has a pair of rotor waveguide passages formed generally in an S-shape. The passages are supported parallel to each other in the rotor and have ridge-waveguide cross-sections; but the ridges of the parallel passages are positioned opposite to each other. The rotor is mounted in a cylindrical stator member which has one end closed and one end open. A pressure plate is supported by the stator across its open end, but the pressure plate is axially slideable with respect to the stator. A shaft passes fixedly through the rotor and is supported rotatably at one end by the closed end of the stator and at the other end by the pressure plate. The pressure plate is spring biased against an end of the rotor which can be rotated only when the pressure plate is released from it.

A single incoming waveguide connects to the pressure plate and engages one end of the rotor; while a pair of outgoing waveguides connect to the closed stator end and engage the opposite end of the rotor. Since the rotor is held in compression between the pressure plate and the closed end of the stator, the incoming and outgoing lines engage the rotor under pressure. Accordingly, a gap is prevented between a connecting rotor passage and the incoming and outgoing lines. Furthermore, the pressure plate locks the rotor in selected position.

A switching operation for the invention requires: first, disengagement of the pressure plate from the rotor; second, rotation of the rotor to a new position; and third, re-enegagement of the pressure plate with the rotor.

A cam system is provided to release the pressure plate from the rotor so that it may be repositioned. Rotation of the cams moves the pressure plate away from the stator and thus disengages the pressure plate from the rotor. The cams are connected by sprocket and chain drive means to a first electric motor that controls the amount of rotation of the cams. The position of the pressure plate is sensed electrically by small switches supported by the pressure plate and actuated by the cams.

The rotor is rotated by a second electric motor. One angular position of the rotor connects the input line to one of the output lines; and a second angular position of the rotor, which is degrees from the first position, connects the input line to the other output line. The rotational position of the rotor is sensed by a pair of small switches, supported in the stator on opposite sides, which are actuated by a cam on the rotor.

The switches and motors are connected by a novel relay circuit to control switches on a remote panel which provides push-button control for the waveguide switch.

Further objects, features, and advantages will be obvious to a person skilled in the art upon further study of the specification and drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the waveguide switch;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken along line 22 in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along line 33 E Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the rotor;

Figure 5 is an end view of the rotor;

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6--6 in Figure 1 "Figure 7 is-a detailed portion taken along line 77 in Figure 2;-

Figure 8 is a partial sectional view taken along line 88 in Figure 2; and

Figure 9 is a schematic wiring diagram of the control circuit of this invention.

Now referring to the chosen embodiment of the invention in more detail, Figure 1 shows a side-elevational view of a waveguide switch which has a cylindrically shaped stator 10 that is fastened to asupporting structure 11 which is shown schematically only. A pair of

outgoing ridge waveguides

12 and 13 are fastened to the closed end 14 of stator 10; and a weather cover 16 is received over and is fastened to the open end of stator 10.

A J-shaped incoming line 17 of ridge waveguide has a portion 18 that passes through cover 16 and connects to the waveguide switch. Line 17 has another portion 19 which is also fixed to supporting structure 11 (shown schematically), and a coupling portion 22 connects

por tions

18 and 19.

As shown in Figure 3, a plurality of rods 23 are fixed at one end to the inside surface of stator 10 by brackets 24 and extend longitudinally from the open end of stator 10". Rods 23 are equally spaced around stator 18 and extend slideably through a plurality of openings in a circular pressure plate 26. Pressure plate 26 extends across the open end of stator 10 and is supported transversely by rods 23 but is movable axially on them.

A first washer 27, a spring 28, and a second Washer 29 are received over each rod 23; and springs 28 are compressed by nuts 31 that are threadedly received over the outer end of each rod 23. Thus, the springs exert a force on pressure plate 26 that tends to move it toward stator 10. A rotor 32 is received within stator 10 and is supported between the closed end 14 of stator 10 and pressure plate 26. A rotor shaft 39 is mounted axially through rotor 32 and is fixed to rotor 32 by means of keys 41 and 42.

The ends 53 and 54 of rotor shaft 39 are necked-down. End 54 is rotatably received within a bearing 55 supported centrally in the closed end 14 of stator 10. The other end 53 is rotatably received within a bearing 56 supported centrally in pressure plate 26.

The force of springs 28 on pressure plate 26 normally holds rotor 32 under pressure between stator end 14 and pressure plate 26. Hence, rotor 32 is locked in position by pressure plate 26 and cannot be rotated unless pressure plate 26 is pulled away from stator 10. Figure 3 shows pressure plate 26 moved away from stator 10 and rotor 32.

Rotor 32, which in Figures 4 and S is shown removed from stator 10, has a front plate 33 and a back plate 34 which are supported parallel to each other by a pair of

trapezoidal supporting plates

36 and 37. A single rotor cam 38 (see Figure 5) is fastened to the outer edge of front plate 33.

Both front plate 33 and back plate 34 are formed with openings that have ridge-waveguide configurations.

'Figure 5 shows

openings

43 and 44 formed in front plate 33; and Figure 6 shows, in dotted lines,

openings

46 and 47 formed in back plate 34. A pair of generally S-shaped passages and of ridge-Waveguide connect between

plates

33 and 34. The ends of passage 30 fasten about

openings

43 and 46, respectively, and the ends of the other S-shaped passage 35 fasten about the

other openings

44 and 47.

Passages

30 and 35 are positioned substantially parallel to each other. However, the waveguide passages, being ridge-waveguide, are formed with

ridges

51 and 52, respectively, that are positioned opposite each other, as is seen in Figure 5.

taining speed reduction gears (not shown), are fixed to pressure plate 26 by means of brackets 58 and are spaced equally about pressure plate 26 near its edge. A cam 59 is rotatably supported by a shaft extending from the outer side of each transmissionbox 57. Each cam 59 slideably engages the transverse surface 60 of a cam plate 61 which is fixed to the inside of the cylindrical wall of a stator 10, as shown in Figures 3, 7, and 8. Plates 61 extend through notches 62 formed in the periphery of pressure plate 26. A sprocket 63 is fixed to a shaft, which extends from the top of each transmission. box 57, and is rotatably connected to the adjacent cam 59 by the speed reduction gears supported within box 57.

In Figure- 2, a first motor 64 is fastened to pressure plate 26 by means ofa bracket 66. A transmission box 67, containing speed reduction gears (not shown), is supported at one end of motor 64 and drives a sprocket 68 that is fixedto a shaft 69 extending from the top of box 67. A drive chain 71 is received about each sprocket 63, about motor sprocket 68, about an adjustable sprocket 72 which is rotatably supported from a base 73 attached adjustably to pressure plate 26. Hence, cams 59 are rotated by motor 64 and engage plates 61 to push pressure plate 26 away from stator 10.

A pair of

brackets

74 and 76 are attached to any two transmission boxes 57, respectively. A first switch 77 is fastened to bracket 74 and has contacts arranged in double-pole double-throw fashion. A second switch 78 is fastened to the other bracket 76 and has contacts arranged in single-pole single-throw fashion. The switches have lever arms 79 and 80 that are tipped with rollers 75 and 81. which engage the upper slides of the adjacent cams 59 to sense the position of the pressure plate cams and hence the position of the pressure plate.

A second motor 82 is also fastened to pressure plate 26 by means of a bracket 83. Furthermore, another transmission box 84 is fastened to one end of motor 82 to drive a pulley 86 fixed to a shaft extending from transmission box 84. A larger pulley 87 is fastened to the end of rotor shaft 39, and a belt 88 is receivedabout pulleys 86 and 87. Accordingly, when pressure plate 26 is disengaged from rotor 32, it can be rotated by motor 82.

As shown in: Figure 2,. a third switch 89 is fastened to the inside wall of stator 10 adjacent front plate 33 of rotor 32. A lever 91, which is also tipped with a roller 92', extends from switch 89 and engages a cam projection 38 that is fixed to the periphery of front plate 33. The contacts of third switch 89 are arranged in doublepole double-throw fashion. Furthermore, a fourth switch 93 also is fastened to the inside wall of stator 10 adjacent front plate 33 of rotor 32 but is situated diametrically opposite from third switch 89. Another lever 94 tipped with a roller 96 likewise extends from switch 93 and engages cam projection 38 when rotor 32 is rotated 180 degrees from where it engages third switch 89. The contacts of fourth switch 93 are arranged in a split double-throw double-pole fashion. Hence, third and fourth switches 89 and 93 sense the position of rotor 32.

Motors 64 and 82 may be split phase motors. In this embodiment (as shown in Figure 9), each motor has one field winding permanently connected across the power source; and the motors are actuated by selectively switching their other field winding across the power source. The capacitors and are connected in series with field coils 97 and 98 respectively, which are connected directly across the line, to provide the ninety degree phase shift required in split phase motors.

The operation of the motors is controlled automatically from a remote control panel 99 by means of a toggle switch 101 and a push-button switch 102.

A plurality of relays are utilized in the invention to obtain automatic remote control. As shown in Figure 9, they are a first relay 103 which has fixed contacts 104 and 106, a second relay 107 which has a single fixed contact 108, a third relay 109 which has three fixed

contacts

111, 112, and 113, and a fourth relay 114 which has a pair of fixed contacts 116 and 117. All of the relay contacts with the exception of contact 117 of fourth relay 114 are open when the relays are not energized. Contact 117 is closed when relay 114 is not energized.

A power source 118 provides the energy for motors 64 and 82 and may be a 60 cycle 117 volt source. A first main power bus 119 connects to one side of power source 118 and has connected to it branch buses 119a, 119b, 1190, and 119d. A second main power bus 121 connects on the other side of power source 118 and has connected to it branch buses 121a, 121b, 121e, 121d, and 121e. Field coils 97 and 98 of motors 64 and 82 with their serially connected capacitors 90 and 95, respectively, are connected between buses 119a and 121s.

Toggle switch 101 and push-button switch 102 are each connected on one side to bus 119. A lead 122 connects the other side of push-button switch 102 to a first arm 123 of first relay 103; and a short lead 124 connects arm 123 to one side of relay 103.

First contact 104 of first relay 103 is connected to branch bus 119a, and second contact 106 of first relay 103 is connected by a short lead 126 to contact 108 of second relay 107. Arm 127 of first relay 103 and arm 128 of second relay 107 are connected by branch bus 121e. Contact 108 of second relay 107 is also connected to one side of motor coil 129 by a lead 131. The other side of coil 129 is connected to bus 119a.

Another lead 132 connects the other side of first relay 103 to the forward contact 133 of first switch 77. The backward contact 134 of first switch 77 is connected by lead 136 to one side of third relay 109, the third contact 113 of third relay 109 and the first contact 116 of fourth, relay 114. The arm 79 of first switch 77 connects to bus 121d. A lead 138 connects the arm 188 of second switch 78 to one side of second relay 107, and bus 119a connects to contact 141 of second switch 78.

The other side of third relay 109 is connected by a short lead 142 to its first arm 143, and another lead 144 connects arm 143 to the second arm 180 of third switch 89. The second forward contact 147 of third switch 89 is connected by lead 148 to first contact 111 of third relay 109, and the second backward contact 149 of third switch 89 is connected by lead 151 to second contact 112 of third relay 109.

The first forward contact 152 of third switch 89 is connected by lead 153 to one side of an indicating light 154 which indicates one position of the switch when lighted, while the first backward contact 156 of the third switch 89 is connected by lead 157 to one side of a second indicating light 158 which indicates the other position of the switch when lighted.

The other side of indicating light 154 is connected by a lead 159 to a second forward contact 161 of fourth switch 93, while the other side of the light 158 is connected by a lead 162 to the second backward contact 163 of fourth switch 93. The trird arm 164 of fourth switch 93 connects to bus 11%. The second arm 166 of fourth switch 93 is connected by a lead 167 to second arm 168 of third relay 109, and the first moving arm 94 of fourth switch 93 is connected by a lead 171 to one side 172 of toggle switch 101 at the control panel 99. The other side 173 of toggle switch 101 is connected by a lead 174 to second arm 168 of third relay 109. A lead 176 connects the first backward contact 177 of fourth switch 93 to the second contact 112 of third relay 109.

Fourth relay 114 is connected on one side to arm 178 of third relay 109; and the other side of fourth relay 114 is connected to bus 119c. The first arm 179 of fourth relay 114 is connected by lead 186 to one side of motor coil 181 which is connected on its other side to bus 119a.

The second arm 1850f fourthrelay 114 is connected by lead 189 to the remaining side of second relay 107. v

In the rotor position shown in Figure 3, rotor passage 30 connects input waveguide 17 to first output line 12. Accordingly, the incoming end 43 of passage 30 is aligned with incoming waveguide 17, and outgoing end 46 of passage 30 is aligned with first outgoing waveguide 12. The relative positions of the outgoing waveguides and the adjacent ends of the rotor passages may be seen in Figure 6 which shows passage 30, represented by dotted lines, aligned with first outgoing waveguide 12, designated by solid lines. It is seen that the other passage 35, also represented by dotted lines, is not aligned with the other outgoing waveguide 13, represented by solid lines. The dotted and solid lines for outgoing wave guide 12 and passage 30 actually coincide but are otfset for clarity. It is noted that the positions of second outgoing waveguide 13 and second rotor passage 35 are distant from each other and that their

ridges

52 and 50 are oppositely situated.

The Waveguide 17 is the only waveguide passing through pressure plate 26 and in Figure 3 is aligned with waveguide passage 30. It is noted that the other waveguide passage 35 is engaged by the fiat surface of pressure plate 26.

When the rotor 32 is rotated degrees from the position shown in Figures 3 and 6, the other waveguide passage 35 will connect incoming line 17 to second outgoing waveguide 13; and incoming end 43 of passage 30 then will be engaged by the flat surface of pressure plate 26. It is noted in Figure 5 that

openings

43 and 44 are symmetrical with respect to rotor shaft 39 and that 180 degrees of rotation by rotor 32 will change the alignment of input waveguide 17 from first passage 12 to second passage 13. It is further noted in Figure 6 that 180 degrees of rotation by rotor 32 Will change the alignment from passage 30 with outgoing waveguide 12 to passage 35 with outgoing waveguide 13.

In order to rotate rotor 32, it is necessary to remove the frictional force of pressure plate 26, since pressure plate 26 is at all times forced axially toward rotor 32 by springs 28. Pressure plate 26 is lifted from rotor 32 by means of the cam arrangement which is powered by motor 64 through chain 71 and transmission boxes 57. Cams 59 are rotated simultaneously by the transmission boxes and slideably engage cam plates 61 to push pressure plate 26 away from stator 14. Accordingly, pressure plate 26 moves away from rotor 32, since it is held between pressure plate 26 and stator end 14. After 180 degrees of rotation, the cams engage at their highest points to support pressure plate 26 farthest from stator 14. Pressure plate 26 has now moved away from rotor 32 and no longer exerts any force on it. At this time, pressure plate motor 64 is de-energized.

Then, second motor 82 is energized to rotate the rotor 180 degrees to a new position where it is de-energized after its cam 38 engages the other switch roller 96.

It is now necessary to release the pressure plate so that no gap may exist between the ends of the rotor passages and the incoming and outgoing waveguides. Pressure plate motor 64 is again energized, and cams 59 are rotated another 180 degrees until their lowest points engage cam plates 61 where the pressure plate 26 is positioned closest to stator 14. Motor 64 is then shut off. Pressure plate 26 movement, however, will stop when the pressure plate solidly engages rotor 32; and, thus, no gap can exist in the transmission line connection provided by the waveguide switch. The switch is firmly locked in position by the pressure plate 26 and vibration cannot atfect the rotor position.

The sequence of mechanical operation required to switch ultra-high frequency energy from first outgoing waveguide 12 to second outgoing waveguide 13 is now complete. The same sequence of mechanical operation is used to switch the energy back to first outgoing line 12. The pressure plate is again disengaged, the rotor rotated 180 degrees, and the pressure plate re-engaged.

The above-described mechanical sequence is automatically obtained in this invention and is completely controlled by toggle switch 101 and push-button switch 102 which are supported on control panel 99. A complete switching operation is obtained by moving toggle switch 101 to its other position and momentarily closing pushbutton switch 102. Indicating light 158 is lighted when first outgoing waveguide 12 is connected; and the other indicating light 154 is lighted when the second outgoing waveguide 13 is connected.

The electrical circuit operates as follows: Suppose that the switch is in the position shown in Figure 3 and that it is required to reposition it to connect second outgoing line 13. The arm of toggle switch 101 is pushed to the position shown in Figure 9, and push-button 102 is momentarily closed. A circuit is then completed from bus 119 through push-button switch 102, leads 122 and 124, first relay 103, lead 132, front contact 133 and arm 79 of first switch 77 to the other bus 121d which connects to the other side of power source 118. It is noted that arm 79 of first switch 77 engages front contact 133 when pressure plate 26 is closed.

After relay 103 is energized, its first arm 123 engages its first contact 104 which bypasses push-button switch 102 to bus 1190!. Therefore, first relay 103 remains energized when push-button 102 is released.

The second arm 127 of first relay 103 also is actuated, and it engages second contact 106 to complete a circuit through motor coil 129 by way of bus 121d, arm 127, contact 106, leads 126 and 131, coil 129 and opposite bus 119a. Since the other coil 97 is permanently energized, motor 64 is actuated to drive cams 59 through an angular sector of 180 degrees where lever 79 of first switch 77 opens front contact 133 and closes back con tact 134.

Upon the opening of front contact 133, the circuit of first relay 103 is broken, and its second arm 127 opens to interrupt the field circuit of motor 64. Hence, motor 64 stops when earns 59 have rotated 180 degrees to release pressure plate 26 from rotor 32.

Up to this time, rotor 32 has remained stationary in the position shown in Figure 2; where rotor cam 38 engages roller 92 of third switch 89 to maintain its contacts in the position shown in Figure 9. On the other hand, roller 96 of fourth switch 93 is not engaged by rotor cam 38, and the contacts of fourth switch 93 are also in the position shown in Figure 9.

When back contact 134 of first switch 77 is closed by the opening of pressure plate 26, third relay 109 is energized by a circuit from bus 121d through back contact 134, lead 136, third relay 109, leads 142 and 144, second arm 180 and second front contact 147 of third switch 89, lead 182, first front contact 183 and first at 184 of fourth switch 93, lead 171 and side 172 of toggle switch 101 to the other bus 119.

By energizing third relay 109, its third arm 178 engages third contact 113; and fourth relay 114 is energized by a circuit from bus 119s through relay 114, third arm 178 and third contact 113 of third relay 109, lead 136, back contact 134 and arm 79 of first switch 77 to opposite bus 1210!. Hence, fourth relay 114 is slaved to third relay 109 and actuates rotor motor 82 by a circuit from bus 121d through arm 79 and back contact 134 of first switch 77, lead 136, a first contact 116 and arm 179 of fourth relay 114, lead 186 to motor coil 181 and the other I bus 11912.

:ergized by a circuit from bus 121d, arm 79 and back contact 134 of first switch 77, lead 136 through third relay 109, lead 142, arm 143 and contact 111 of third relay 109, leads 148 and 182, first forward contact 183 and first arm 184 of fourth switch 93, lead 171, and toggle switch 101 to the other bus 119. Accordingly, third relay 109 continues to hold fourth relay 114; and motor 82 continues rotating rotor 32.

Motor 82 rotates the rotor degrees where rotor cam 38 engages fourth switch roller 96; and the circuit of third relay 109 is interrupted by the disengagement of arm 184 and contact 183. Consequently, fourth relay 114 is interrupted by disengagement of contact 113 and arm 178 of third relay 109 to stop the rotor motor 82. Roller 96 of fourth switch 93 now is engaged by rotor cam 38 and its arms 184, 166, and 164 are reversed in position.

When fourth relay 114 is dropped, its normally closed arm engages its second contact 117 to energize second relay 107. It is remembered that pressure plate 26 is still released; therefore, roller 81 of second switch 78 is supported by pressure plate cam 59 to engage arm 188 with contact 141 so that second relay 107 is energized by a circuit from bus 119:: through second switch 78, lead 138, second relay 107, lead 189, second arm 185 and contact 117 of fourth relay 114, to opposite bus 121a. Hence, second relay 107 actuates motor 64 by a circuit from bus 121e through arm 128 and contact 108 of second relay 107, lead 131, motor coil 129 to opposite bus 119a. The pressure plate cams 59 rotate through another sector of 180 degrees, and pressure plate 26 is released to engage rotor 32. This rotation by earns 59 actuates roller 81 to open second switch 78; and motor 64 stops.

Note at this point that all relays are now dropped and that all elements of the waveguide switch occupy their original positions except that rotor 32 has moved 180 degrees to connect incoming line 17 to the other outgoing line 13 by means of the other waveguide passage 35.

Furthermore, the switching was indicated on remote panel 99 by light bulbs 154 and 158. Initially, when rotor passage 30 connected incoming line 17 to first outgoing line 12, first bulb 154 was lighted by a circuit from bus 11% through third arm 164 and second front contact 161 of fourth switch 93, lead 159, bulb 154, lead 153, first front contact 152 and first arm 187 of third switch 89 to opposite bus 121. On the other hand, second bulb 158 was not lighted because it then did not have a completed circuit.

However, after the switching had occurred, second bulb 158 was lighted and first bulb 154 was shut off. This occurred because rotor cam 38 actuated fourth switch 93 instead of third switch 89. Third arm 154 of fourth switch 93 disengaged second front contact 161 to break the circuit through first bulb 154; and third lever 164 engaged second back contact 163 to complete a circuit from bus 1191) to lead 162, second bulb 158, lead 157, first back contact 156 and first arm 187 of third switch 89 to opposite bus 121.

The rotor position cannot be disturbed if push-button switch 102 is depressed without changing the position of toggle switch 101. If push-button switch 102 were so depressed, a circuit would be completed through first relay 103 which would lift pressure plate 26 as described above. However, third relay 109 would not be energized because it has an open circuit at side 173 of toggle switch 101. Accordingly, rotor motor 82 remains unactuated since it can only respond when third relay 109 is energized.

Furthermore, after pressure plate 26 is lifted, second switch 78 closes and completes a circuit through second relay 107 which again actuates rotor motor 82 until pressure plate 26 is again closed to open second switch 78 and shut off rotor motor 82. Hence, the rotor position is not changed by pressing push-button without actuating toggle switch 101.

Suppose, however, that toggle switch 101 is pushed to 9 its other side 173 and that push-button switch 102 is then depressed. First relay 103 is therefore energized to actuate pressure plate motor 64, which rotates cams 59 by 180 degrees to lift pressure plate 26 in the manner described above. However, third relay 109 is now energized by a circuit from bus 121d through arm 79 and back contact 134 of first switch 77, lead 136, third relay 109, leads 142 and 144, second arm 180 and second back contact 149 of third switch 89, leads 151 and 176, first back contact 177 and second arm 166 of fourth switch 93, leads 167 and 174, to side 173 of toggle switch 101 to opposite bus 119. Accordingly, fourth relay 114 is energized by the engagement of third arm 178 and contact 113 of third relay 109 in the manner described above; and rotor motor 82 is actuated. As rotor 32 begins rotation, cam 38 releases roller 96 and second arm 166 of fourth switch 93 disengages first back contact 177. Nevertheless, third relay 109 remains energized through its second arm 168 and contact 112, which bypass fourth switch 93 by a circuit from bus 121d, arm 79 and back contact 134 of first switch 77, lead 136, relay 109, leads 142 and 144, arm 180 and back contact 149 of third switch 89, lead 151, second contact 112 and second arm 168 of third relay 109, lead 174, side 173 of toggle switch 101 to opposite bus 119.

Rotor 32 moves 180 degrees where it is back to the position shown in Figure 9. There, rotor cam 38 engages roller 92 and actuates third switch 89 back to the position shown in Figure 9. The circuit through third relay 109 is therefore broken, since second arm 180 of third switch 89 no longer engages second back contact 149; and rotor motor 82 stops.

When third relay 109 is de-energized, fourth relay 114 isdropped, as described above, and second relay 107 is energized to actuate pressure plate motor 64. Hence, pressure plate 26 is released to engage rotor 32; and second switch 78 is opened to break the circuit of second re lay 107 and stop the motor. First bulb 154 is again lighted instead of second bulb 158.

It is often desirable to have a second control panel located at the switch itself. In such case, a second push button switch, toggle switch and indicating lights would be connected in parallel with their counterpart described above. However, a third switch is necessary to alternatively engage only one control panel at a time to the circuit.

Although the chosen embodiment provides a switch for ridge Waveguide, it is realized that the switch may utilize any type of symmetrical or unsymmetrical waveguide as well. The stator, pressure plate, and rotor arrangement of the invention may be used for any waveguide switch which has incoming and outgoing waveguides connected at the rotor ends; and it is only necessary to change the cross-section of the connecting waveguide and rotor passages. The automatic circuit of the invention is equally adaptable for these variations of the switch.

It is hence apparent that the invention provides a remotely controlled wave guide switch that avoids a gapped connection between the rotor waveguide passages and the incoming and outgoing lines. Consequently, radiation loss and transmission discontinuity are eliminated at the switch junctions. A novel arrangement is provided for the waveguide passages in the rotor which are particularly well suited for bisymmetrical waveguide, such as ridge waveguide. Furthermore, the novel arrangement of passages in this invention provides switches with much smaller overall size than conventional switches for large ridge waveguide. Also, the invention provides a novel electrical circuit which permits the switch to be automatically positioned from a remote location.

The present invention not only includes the situation where the rotor sides 44 and 47, adjacent stator and 14 and pressure plate 26 are in planes transverse to the axis of rotor rotation; but the invention also includes as an equivalent the case where these elements are conically 10 shaped where the axis of the cones is the axis of rotor rotation. The latter situation permits the incoming and outgoing waveguides to enter at an angle oblique to axis of rotation.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been described, various changes and modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

We claim:

1. A rotor for a ridge-waveguide switch having opposite sides transverse to an axis of rotation of the rotor, at first ridge-waveguide passage with opposite ends received by the opposite sides of said rotor, a second ridge-waveguide passage with opposite ends received by the opposite sides of said rotor, said passages each having substantially identical cross-sections, said passages situated in said rotor with their cross-sections both oriented in like directions with respect to the rotor axis, the adjacent ends of said passages at one side of said rotor located at equal distances from the rotor axis, the adjacent ends of said passages in the other side of said rotor located at different distances from the rotor axis, a first stator waveguide 'terminating in alignment with one of said symmetrically located ends, and at least second and third stator waveguides terminated at the opposite side of said rotor being separately alignable with the waveguide passages at different rotational positions of said rotor.

2. A rotor for a waveguide switch having opposite sides that are transverse to an axis of rotation, a first waveguide passage with its opposite ends received at the opposite sides of said rotor, a second waveguide passage with its opposite ends received at the opposite sides of said rotor, said passages having substantially identical crosssections, each cross-section being no more symmetrical than monosymmetrical, said passages situated in said rotor with their cross-sections opposite to each other, the adjacent ends of said passages at one side of said rotor located equidistant from said rotor axis, the adjacent ends of said passages at the other side of said rotor located at unequal radial distances from the rotor axis, a first stator waveguide terminating in alignment with one of said symmetrically located ends, and at least second and third stator waveguides terminated at the opposite side of said rotor being separately alignable with the waveguide passages at different rotational positions of said rotor.

3. A rotor for a waveguide switch having parallel surfaces on opposite sides that are transverse to an axis of rotation, a first waveguide passage having not more than monosymmetry of cross-section, with opposite ends received in openings in the opposite parallel surfaces of said rotor, a second waveguide passage having not more than monosymmetry of cross-section, with opposite ends received in openings in the opposite parallel surfaces of said rotor, said passages having substantially identical cross-sections, said passages situated in said rotor with their cross-sections similarly facing the rotor axis, the adjacent ends of said passages in one surface of said rotor located at equal distances from the axis along a line through the rotor axis, the adjacent ends of said passages in the other surface of said rotor located on a line through the rotor axis but at unequal distances from the axis of said rotor, a first stator waveguide terminating in alignment with one of said symmetrically located ends, and at least second and third stator waveguides terminated at the opposite side of said rotor being separately alignable with the waveguide passages at different rotational positions of said rotor.

4. A rotor for a waveguide switch having parallel surfaces on opposite sides that are transverse to an axis of rotation, a first monosymmetric S-shaped waveguide passage with its opposite ends received in openings in the opposite parallel surfaces of said rotor, a second monosymmetric S-shaped waveguide passage with its opposite ends received in openings in the opposite parallel surfaces of said rotor, said passages having substantially identical cross-sections, said passages situated in said rotor with their cross-sections opposite to each other, the adjacent ends of said passages in one surface of said rotor located equidistant from and on a line through the rotor axis, the adjacent ends of said passages in the other surface of said rotor located at unequal radial distances from the rotor. axis, a first stator waveguide terminating in alignment with one of said symmetrically located ends, and at least second and third stator waveguides terminated at the opposite side of said rotor being separately alignable with the Waveguide passages at different rotational positions of said rotor.

5. A rotor for a waveguide switch having parallel sur faces on opposite sides that are transverse to its axis of rotation, a first ridge-Waveguide passage with opposite ends received in openings in the opposite parallel surfaces of Said rotor, a second ridge-waveguide passage with its opposite ends received in openings in the opposite parallel surfaces of said rotor, said passages having substantially identical cross-sections, adjacent ends of said passages received in one surface of said rotor facing the rotor axis and located equally therefrom, opposite adjacent ends or said passages received in the opposite surface of said rotor located at unequal distances from the rotor axis, a first stator Waveguide terminating in alignment with one of said symmetrically located ends, and at least second and third stator waveguides terminated at the opposite .side of said rotor being separately alignable with the Waveguide passages at different rotational positions of said rotor.

6. A waveguide switch as defined in claim comprising, a pressure plate supported by said stator and movable relative to the rotor, the rotor received rotatably be tween the pressure plate and stator, said first stator wave guide connected to the pressure plate and engageablewith one side of the rotor, at least said second and third waveguides connected to the stator and engageable with the other side of the rotor, and means for biasing together the pressure plate and stator against the rotor sides. 7 I

7. A waveguide switch as defined in claim 5, comprising, a hollow stator member formed with an open end and a closed end, said rotor received rotatably within said stator, said at least second and third stator waveguides received through the closed end of said stator adjacent one side of rotor, a pressure plate supported by said stator as its open end, said pressure plate biased against the adjacent side of said rotor, and said first stator Waveguide received through said pressure plate and .engageable with the adjacent end of said rotor having the equally located ends of said passages, and means for releasing the bias of said pressure plate and rotating said rotor to various positions of alignment.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,344,780 Kram Mar. 21, 1 944 2,400,765 McMillan May 21, 1946 2,413,298 De Tar Dec. 31, 1946 2,423,130 Tyrrell July 1, 1947 2,472,783 Barrerre June 14, 1949 2,484,822 Gould Oct. 18, 1949 2,556,869 Charles June 12, 1951 2,573,313 Kannenberg Nov. 6, 1951 2,597,607 Alford May 20, 1952 2,697,767 Charles Dec. 21,. 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 730,219 Great Britain May 18, 1955 run-onus pr-